"Gu Xintang, I warned you long ago. What you're doing is sheer obstinacy. A mere Platoon Commander from the Cold Moon Punishment Hall, and you dare defy the dignity of the Ten Extremes Zone? Did you think the Ten Extremes Zone was just anywhere — come when you please, leave when you like?" The one-eyed giant of a man squeezed out from the corner once more, berating them with self-righteous indignation.
The Ten Supremes hadn't uttered a word, yet this one-eyed man surnamed Zhao had spoken first. Clearly, his standing in the Ten Extremes Zone must have been the highest beneath the Ten Supremes themselves — some manner of steward.
Gu Xintang cupped his fists in a circle salute, his tone neither servile nor haughty: "Esteemed members of the Ten Extremes Zone, I have come here on official business to investigate a matter. I humbly ask for your understanding."
The words were measured — neither humble nor overbearing. But listening closely, they still carried a hint of wavering confidence. After all, holding his ground like this before a group of fierce and terrifying figures was already quite impressive for Gu Xintang. Had any other, lesser Platoon Commander been sent in his place, they would have gone pale as ash and stammered through trembling lips long ago.
"Shut your mouth!" An old man with snow-white hair and a rosy, youthful face darkened his expression and spoke up directly. "Who do you think you are? Did the Hall Master of the Cold Moon Punishment Hall never teach you the rules of this place?"
"A mere Platoon Commander, daring to barge in uninvited. It seems you truly don't regard our Ten Extremes Zone with any respect. Boy — I take it you don't even know how to write the word 'death'?"
Gu Xintang's face went white, his mouth dry and bitter with dread, and he was about to steel himself to speak.
But Jiang Chen stepped forward and said to Gu Xintang: "Leave this to us."
Gu Xintang could only nod, lowering his voice: "Don't be impulsive. See if we can reach an amicable agreement."
Though even as the words left his lips, he had little conviction in them. The Ten Extremes Zone was clearly not a place where amicable agreements could be reached. If this were a place of reason, it wouldn't be the Ten Extremes Zone.
The Ten Extremes Zone had never believed in reason — and what good was reason anyway? Here, people believed only in strength. Right or wrong, that was something only the strong got to preach. The weak only had the right to be lectured.
"Brother Mo, they want to talk about rules — keep them company and talk rules. I'll go find someone." Jiang Chen shot a meaningful glance at the Peerless Emperor.
The Peerless Emperor smiled faintly. "Certainly, certainly. But do be careful — not a single one of these fellows is easy to deal with."
Jiang Chen nodded. He could naturally see that among these Ten Supremes, the weakest was at the eighth level of the Emperor Realm, and the strongest was nearly at the half-step Emperor Realm.
But Jiang Chen was no longer a greenhorn fresh from the nest. In a direct confrontation, he might not be able to match a half-step Emperor Realm cultivator.
But when it came to speed, he had even dared to challenge the Peerless Emperor — would he fear these fellows?
With a slight nod, he activated his Divine Ability. His form transformed into a bolt of lightning and shot through the void in an instant.
The Celestial Kun Flowing Light Escape — his light streaked like a meteor and vanished into the emptiness.
"Seeking death!" The surrounding figures erupted in shouts.
The crane-haired old man waved his hand and called out: "Everyone, don't panic. That's just a little mouse — no need to lose your composure. Situ Ling, Wu Xutao — the two of you go catch that little mouse. Everyone else, stay here."
The crane-haired, youthful-faced old man clearly held absolute authority within the Ten Extremes Zone. His cultivation and experience evidently surpassed all the others. He was the strongest in the Ten Extremes Zone, the closest to the half-step Emperor Realm. His deep, penetrating gaze fixed upon the Peerless Emperor — he could clearly see that the one who had remained behind was the true adversary they faced today.
These people had dared to force their way into the Ten Extremes Zone, and it was certainly because of this man. Though the old man couldn't gauge the Peerless Emperor's true depths, a warrior's instinct told him this was a very dangerous character to cross.
The Peerless Emperor smiled faintly, casting a glance at the crane-haired old man with a leisurely tone: "He Fenghui — old He — I thought you were long dead. To think you'd been locked up in this Ten Extremes Zone. Now that is quite the surprise. Could it be that you offended the Moon God Sect somewhere? Otherwise, with your abilities, old He, how could you end up imprisoned in a place like this?"
The crane-haired old man was named He Fenghui — a renowned figure in the world of rogue cultivators. His strength, while not comparable to the Peerless Emperor's, was on par with those two friends of the Peerless Emperor, the Geng brothers. In the world of rogue cultivators, this level of cultivation, even if not at the absolute pinnacle, was a truly formidable standing.
"You... you know my name? You must be no nobody then. Why are you disguised as a lowly guard of the Cold Moon Punishment Hall?" He Fenghui's voice was laced with wariness.
"Hmph — that's none of your concern. I'll ask you just one thing: are you going to fight, or are you going to behave yourselves?"
Facing such a threat, every member of the Ten Extremes Zone flew into a rage.
"Who do you think you are, to run wild in the Ten Extremes Zone?!"
"Brother He, this guy's full of hot air — let the brothers teach him some manners!"
He Fenghui's heart was torn with indecision. He had a premonition that this person would not be easy to handle. Until he knew the man's background, he truly did not want to escalate to open confrontation.
But letting the other party run roughshod over the Ten Extremes Zone would absolutely be a blow to their prestige.
"Old He, no need to hesitate. I'll give you a chance. Every last one of you — come at me together."
The Peerless Emperor's tone was calm, his hands clasped behind his back, yet he carried the bearing of a true master.
"What?!" "This bastard — the audacity!" "Brothers, all together! Cut him down first, talk later!"
The Ten Extremes Zone was filled with tough, hardened souls — bluntly put, desperadoes. Every last one of them was accustomed to being the ones who ran roughshod over others. Never before had anyone dared be arrogant in their presence.